Isotope Analysis of Atmospheric Trace Gases   2

Background
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing solicitation number 1305M26Q0110 as a request for quotation (RFQ) for a single award indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The goal of this contract is to provide isotope analysis support to the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) located in Boulder, CO. This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns and aims to utilize commercial services.

Work Details
The contractor will perform isotope analysis of multiple atmospheric trace gases and measurement of volatile organic compounds in atmospheric air samples. Specific tasks include:
1. Isotope Analysis: Fully quality-controlled analysis of isotopic ratios and radiocarbon from atmospheric air samples and reference standards from the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network (GGGRN).
2. Processing and Measurement Requirements:
a. Stable Isotopes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Quantitative isotopic measurement including δ13C and δ18O with precision requirements of ± 0.02 ‰ for carbon and ± 0.05 ‰ for oxygen, using whole-air atmospheric samples.
b. Radiocarbon (14C) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Includes cryogenic extraction, purification, graphitization, and AMS 14C measurement with long-term external measurement repeatability of 2 ‰ or better.
c. Radiocarbon (14C) of Methane (CH4): Involves purification, conversion to CO2, graphitization, and AMS 14C measurements with external measurement precision of ≤ 4 ‰.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this contract is from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, with multiple ordering periods outlined as follows:
- Ordering Period 1: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
- Ordering Period 2: July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028
- Ordering Period 3: July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2029
- Ordering Period 4: July 1, 2029 - June 30, 2030
- Ordering Period 5: July 1, 2030 - June 30, 2031.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed at the Global Monitoring Laboratory located at NOAA's facility in Boulder, Colorado.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This RFQ for isotope analysis support to NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) appears to have a confirmed incumbent, The Regents of the University of Colorado, based on prior NOAA isotope analysis IDIQ award 1305M320DNRMJ0065 (09/10/20–09/09/25) valued at $6,778,370 and multiple related task orders under that vehicle. The listed task orders (e.g., 1305M320DNRMJ0065-1305M325F0131; 08/06/25–08/05/26, $1,088,825) indicate ongoing performance of isotope analysis work for GML over successive periods. The current requirement for fully quality-controlled stable isotope and radiocarbon measurements of atmospheric trace gases and reference standards is consistent with a continuation of the same isotope analysis scope under the incumbent’s prior IDIQ/task order structure.